We went on the NCL ship Jewel for our first cruise and had no idea what to expect but we loved it. We didn't have children with us but there were lots on the ship and they all seemed to enjoy the "Childrens Clubs". It would seem a suitable cruise as you can eat when & where you like & a 10 year old would probably not want to eat with the same people every night. Also if my children are anything to go by they wouldn't want to dress "formally" for dinner, much more at home in smart trousers & polo shirt than suits or DJs. Hope this helps more than the "sarcastic" comments left re your other question?

I went with ncl this year and i did not take my children who are 4 and 12 as i went on the island escape last year and there was nothing for them on there and thought it would be the same on this one how wrong i was there was so much for them to do. it is so well catered for the children that i have book a cruise with my eldest daughter next year. the food choice for the children is excellent. the older children seem as if they where having a great time in the evenings all of them seem to be sticking together as if they were life long friends. hope your grandson can stay up for the chocalate feast its great fun. you will all have a fantastic time im sure julie.

Our 11 year old daughter has been on 4 cruises and loves every minute of them. We went on the NCL Gem in August for a week and she had a fantastic time - she loved the club but as soon as she made some friends they spent a lot of time enjoying the shows together, using the pool, playing games and activities etc. The beauty of a cruise is that you can let them 'off the leash' without worrying too much and you can settle down to a good book and drink on deck! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a cruise to people with children about this age - they are old enough to enjoy themselves without you, the clubs are well set up to do all sorts of activities and they are still young enough to be thrilled by as much food as they can eat and the shows on board - go for it!

Our children aged 6 and 7 cried when they had to leave the NCL Baltic cruise and they have had brilliant holidays everywhere else in the world to compare to. Shows, well organised kid clubs,lots of chance for informal eating,swimming pools, bunk beds as well as a chance for you to explore lots of different places where you can do research into what's best for a child of that age.
Really it is the best kind of holiday-you know that when they are on ship they are safe when they are out of sight and there are lots of otheer children for them to meet and go off with if you decide that's appropriate.I would have no reservations about recommending an NCL freestyle cruise to you (we're working overtime to afford one next year!).

My daughter, aged 9 loved the NCL Norwegian Jewel. The kids club was fantastic, both day and night, the pool facilities excellent and the food was a big hit except for the Chinese restaurant which did not serve dishes as we would expect them at a Chinese in london - eg. no seaweed! As she had her birthday during the trip we ordered the birthday package, but the cabin staff made it extra special by decorating the cabin whilst we aere out and by singing to her and making a real fuss of her. I would highly recommend this ship for children and look forward to going again myself.